U.S. patent application number 16/075361 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-07 for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method of controlling the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Chan Mo KIM, Dae Young KIM, Tae-Heon ROH.
Application Number | 20190038182 16/075361 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59500070 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-07 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190038182 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Dae Young ; et
al. |
February 7, 2019 |
ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE
SAME
Abstract
Disclosed is a ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus an a method of
controlling the same, capable of allowing a sonographer to take an
appropriate rest by measuring the usage time and the angle of bend
of the probe and assigning weights to the usage time and the angle
of bend of the probe such that the wrist fatigue of a sonographer
is determined, and warning the sonographer about the determined
wrist fatigue, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a
probe configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal to a target
object and receive a ultrasonic signal reflected from the target
object; a storage configured to store a weight that is determined
on the basis of a type of the probe and an application of the
probe; and a controller configured to determine a wrist fatigue of
a user who uses the probe on the basis of the stored weight and a
usage time of the probe.
Inventors: |
KIM; Dae Young; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Chan Mo; (Seoul, KR) ; ROH;
Tae-Heon; (Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD. |
Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
59500070 |
Appl. No.: |
16/075361 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
February 2, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2017/001132 |
371 Date: |
August 3, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/7275 20130101;
A61B 8/52 20130101; G16H 50/30 20180101; A61B 5/459 20130101; A61B
8/54 20130101; A61B 5/6824 20130101; A61B 8/42 20130101; A61B 5/681
20130101; A61B 8/4411 20130101; A61B 8/4488 20130101; A61B 5/1107
20130101; A61B 8/4438 20130101; A61B 2562/0219 20130101; A61B 5/746
20130101; A61B 8/4405 20130101; A61B 5/1121 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/11 20060101
A61B005/11; A61B 8/00 20060101 A61B008/00; A61B 8/08 20060101
A61B008/08; A61B 5/00 20060101 A61B005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 5, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0014600 |
Claims
1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a probe
configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal to a target object and
receive an ultrasonic signal reflected from the target object; a
storage configured to store a weight that is determined on the
basis of a type of the probe and an application of the probe; and a
controller configured to determine a wrist fatigue of a user who
uses the probe on the basis of the stored weight and a usage time
of the probe.
2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
controller determines the wrist fatigue by storing the usage time
to which the weight is assigned, and summating the stored usage
times.
3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
probe transmits information regarding the usage time to the
controller on the basis of an input command of the user.
4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 1, further
comprising an output including at least one of a display, a
speaker, and a warning lamp.
5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
probe warns the user through vibration.
6. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 4, wherein the
controller controls the output or the probe on the basis of the
wrist fatigue such that a warning is output.
7. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
controller controls the probe and receives information regarding
the usage time through wireless communication.
8. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a probe including
a motion sensor; a storage configured to store a weight that is
determined on the basis of a type of the probe and an application
of the probe; and a controller configured to measure an angle of
bend of the probe through the motion sensor, and determine a wrist
fatigue of a user on the basis of the stored weight, a usage time
of the probe, and the angle of bend of the probe.
9. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the
controller determines the wrist fatigue by determining the weights
for sections based on the measured angle of bend, stores the usage
times with the weights assigned, and summates the usage times.
10. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 8, further
comprising an output including at least one of a display, a
speaker, and a warning lamp.
11. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the
probe warns the user through vibration.
12. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 10, wherein the
controller controls the output or the probe on the basis of the
wrist fatigue such that the user is warned.
13. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the
controller controls the probe and receives data regarding the usage
time and the angle of bend through wireless communication.
14. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the
controller measures the angle of bend of the probe by comparing a
motion sensor coupled to a wearable device with the motion sensor
of the probe.
15. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 14, wherein the
controller determines that the probe is used when radio wave
signals of the wearable device and the probe have a strength equal
to or greater than a threshold value.
16. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 11, wherein the
controller controls the output or the probe on the basis of the
wrist fatigue such that the user is warned.
17. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 12, wherein the
controller controls the output or the probe on the basis of the
wrist fatigue such that the user is warned.
18. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 5, wherein the
controller controls the output or the probe on the basis of the
wrist fatigue such that a warning is output.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus and a method of controlling the same, and more
specifically, to an apparatus for determining a wrist fatigue using
a probe and a method of controlling the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus irradiates an ultrasonic
signal from the skin of the body of a target object toward a
desired portion within the body, and obtains an image regarding a
tomogram of soft tissue or a bloodstream using the reflected
ultrasonic signal (ultrasonic echo signal).
[0003] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has a small size, is
inexpensive, displays an image in real time, and does not cause
X-ray exposure, as compared to an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, a
computerized tomography (CT) scanner, a magnetic resonance imager
(MRI) and a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, thus having high
safety. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is widely
used for diagnoses of the heart and the abdomen and urinary and
maternity diagnoses.
[0004] The ultrasonic diagnostic devices provide benefits to
perform real-time scanning. Real-time scanning provides real-time
interactivity and visual feedback, and rapidly generates an image
such that a sonographer scans a target object or identifies a
motion inside the body, such as a blood flow.
[0005] For the real-time scanning, the ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus employs a probe. A probe is an apparatus that transmits
ultrasonic waves to a target object and receives echo ultrasonic
waves from the target object and converts the received echo
ultrasonic waves into electrical signals. The probes are provided
in a small size that fits the hand of a sonographer and in a
lightweight for a sonographer to easily shift the object of
interest.
[0006] Such a probe allows a sonographer to examine and correct
structures of interest, thereby improving both the quality of
diagnosis and patient throughput.
[0007] Meanwhile, the sonographer uses the probe for a long time,
and often needs to change the position of the probe to correct the
structure of interest. In addition, depending on the object of
interest, a case in which the probe is strongly pressed to come
into close contact with the object of interest exists. This may
lead to a load to the wrist joint of the sonographer, often causing
a tunnel syndrome.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0008] Therefore, it is an object of the present disclosure to
provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of allowing a
sonographer to take an appropriate rest by measuring the usage time
and the angle of bend of the probe and applying weights to the
usage time and the angle of bend of the probe to determine the
wrist fatigue of a sonographer, and warning the sonographer about
the wrist fatigue.
Technical Solution
[0009] Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to
provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including: a probe
configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal to a target object and
receive an ultrasonic signal reflected from the target object; a
storage configured to store a weight that is determined on the
basis of a type of the probe and an application of the probe; and a
controller configured to determine a wrist fatigue of a user who
uses the probe on the basis of the stored weight and a usage time
of the probe.
[0010] The controller may determine the wrist fatigue by storing
the usage time to which the weight is assigned, and summating the
stored usage times.
[0011] The probe may transmit information regarding the usage time
to the controller on the basis of an input command of the user.
[0012] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may further include an
output including at least one of a display, a speaker, and a
warning lamp.
[0013] The probe may warn the user through vibration.
[0014] The controller may control the output or the probe on the
basis of the wrist fatigue such that a warning is output.
[0015] The controller may control the probe and receives
information regarding the usage time through wireless
communication.
[0016] Therefore, it is another aspect of the present disclosure to
provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including: a probe
including a motion sensor; a storage configured to store a weight
that is determined on the basis of a type of the probe and an
application of the probe; and a controller configured to measure an
angle of bend of the probe through the motion sensor, and determine
a wrist fatigue of a user on the basis of the stored weight, a
usage time of the probe, and the angle of bend of the probe.
[0017] The controller may determine the wrist fatigue by
determining the weights for sections based on the measured angle of
bend, store the usage times with the weights assigned, and summate
the usage times.
[0018] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may further include an
output including at least one of a display, a speaker, and a
warning lamp
[0019] The probe may warn the user through vibration.
[0020] The controller may control the output or the probe on the
basis of the wrist fatigue such that the user is warned.
[0021] The controller may control the probe and receive data
regarding the usage time and the angle of bend through wireless
communication.
[0022] The controller may measure the angle of bend of the probe by
comparing a motion sensor coupled to a wearable device with the
motion sensor of the probe.
[0023] The controller may determine that the probe is used when
radio wave signals of the wearable device and the probe have a
strength equal to or greater than a threshold value.
Advantageous Effects
[0024] As is apparent from the above, the ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus and the method of controlling the same according to the
present disclosure can allow a sonographer to take an appropriate
rest by measuring the usage time and the angle of bend of the probe
and applying weights to the usage time and the angle of bend of the
probe to determine the wrist fatigue of a sonographer, and warning
the sonographer about the determined wrist fatigue.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the external appearance of
an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic
diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a user
uses a probe.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a table showing types and applications of a probe
according to an example.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing the types of a probe
according to an example.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of determining a
wrist fatigue of a user according to an example.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an angle of bend of a
wrist using a motion sensor according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a table showing the weights according to the
angles of bend.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of measuring the
angle of bend and determining the wrist fatigue according to
another embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing an example in which the
wrist fatigue is determined according to another embodiment.
BEST MODE
[0035] Advantages and features of exemplary embodiments, and
methods of achieving the same will be clearly understood with
reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed
exemplary embodiments.
[0036] The present inventive concept is not limited to exemplary
embodiments described herein, but may be implemented in various
different forms.
[0037] A terminology "a target object" used herein may refer to a
person or animal, or a part of person or animal. For example, the
target object may include organs, such as a liver, a heart, a
uterus, a brain, a breast and abdomen, or a blood vessel. Also, a
terminology "a user" may refer to a sonographer, a physician, a
nurse, a clinical pathologist, a medical imaging expert, or the
like, and also refer to a technician repairing a medical device,
but the scope of the user is not limited thereto.
[0038] A terminology "an ultrasonic image" used throughout the
specification refers to an image of a target object obtained by
using ultrasonic, and further refer to an image obtained using an
X-ray diagnostic apparatus, a computerized tomography (CT) scanner,
a magnetic resonance imager (MRI), and a nuclear medicine diagnosis
device.
[0039] In addition, the technology of an ultrasonic imaging
apparatus and a method of controlling the same may be used for a
diagnostic apparatus, and the use may expand to X-ray imaging
apparatus, an X-ray fluoroscopy apparatus, a CT scanner, a magnetic
resonance imager (MRI), a positron emission tomography apparatus,
and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus. The disclosed embodiments
illustrate an ultrasonic imaging apparatus as an example, but the
present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0040] The term "include (or including)" or "comprise (or
comprising)" is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude
additional, unrecited elements or method steps, unless otherwise
mentioned. The terms as used throughout the specification, such as
".about.part", ".about.module", ".about.member", ".about.block",
etc., may be implemented in software and/or hardware, and a
plurality of ".about.parts", ".about.modules", ".about.members", or
".about.blocks" may be implemented in a single element, or a single
".about.part", ".about.module", ".about.member", or ".about.block"
may include a plurality of elements.
[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0042] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the external appearance of
an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment, FIG.
2 is a control block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus according to an embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram
illustrating an example in which a user uses a probe.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1
includes: an ultrasonic probe P that transmits an ultrasonic wave
to a target object, receives an echo ultrasonic wave from the
target object, and converts the received ultrasonic wave into an
electric signal; and a main body M connected to the ultrasonic
probe P and including a second input 110 and a display 610 that
displays an ultrasonic image.
[0044] The ultrasonic probe P is connected to the main body M of
the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus through a cable 5 to receive
various signals required for controlling the ultrasonic probe P or
may transmit an analog signal or digital signal corresponding to an
ultrasonic eco signal received by the ultrasonic probe P to the
main body M.
[0045] To this end, one end of the cable 5 is connected to the
ultrasonic probe P and the other end of the cable 5 is provided
with a connector 6 which may be coupled to or separated from a slot
7 of the main body M.
[0046] The implementation of the ultrasonic probe P is not limited
thereto, and the ultrasonic probe P may be implemented as a
wireless probe to exchange signals with the main body M through a
network formed between the ultrasonic probe P and the main body
M.
[0047] The main body M and the ultrasonic probe P may exchange
control commands and data using the cable 5. For example, when a
user inputs information regarding a focal depth, a size or shape of
an aperture, or a steering angle through the second input 110, the
information may be transmitted to the ultrasonic probe P through
the cable 5 and used for transmission/reception beamforming.
[0048] When the ultrasonic probe P is implemented as a wireless
probe as described above, the ultrasonic probe P is connected to
the main body M via a wireless network rather than the cable 5.
Even when the ultrasonic probe P is connected to the main body M
through the wireless network, the main body M and the ultrasonic
probe P may exchange control commands and data as described
above.
[0049] The control commands or data exchanged between the
ultrasonic probe P and the main body M may include various types of
command or data. As an example of the present disclosure, the
ultrasonic probe P may not only serves to transmit an image of a
target object obtained through transmission/reception beamforming
(i.e., a basic function) but also serves to transmit data regarding
a usage time of a user. Details thereof will be described later
with reference to FIG. 2.
[0050] On the other hand, the main body M that has received the
data transmitted via the cable 5 may analyze the data, and transmit
a result of analysis of the data to a user through the display 610
or a speaker 620.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 2, the main body M may include the second
input 110, a controller 400, a storage 500, and an output 600.
[0052] The controller 400 controls the overall operation of the
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. In detail, the controller 400
controls operations of the respective components of the ultrasonic
diagnostic apparatus 1, that is, the second input 110, the storage
500, and the output 600.
[0053] In detail, the controller 400 may perform a basic function
of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, such as receiving data
regarding a target object obtained through beamforming, generating
an image on the basis of the received data, and reproducing the
image through the display 610.
[0054] In addition, the controller 400 may receive data regarding a
usage time for which a user uses the probe P and may store the data
in the storage 500. That is, the controller 400 may determine a
wrist fatigue of the user on the basis of information about the
type of the probe P connected to the main body M and an application
for which the probe P is used, which is stored in the storage 500,
and may control the output 600 to warn the user when the wrist
fatigue is equal to or higher than a predetermined grade.
[0055] In addition, the controller 400 may receive an input of the
user through the second input 110 and process a command
corresponding to the input. That is, the second input 110 may
switch a diagnostic mode or distinguish the applications for the
user to efficiently photograph the target object.
[0056] In this case, the application refers to software executed in
an operating system, in detail, an application indicating an object
or a portion of the object, abdomen, cardiac and obstetric, for
which the probe P is used to capture an image.
[0057] In detail, when the user uses the probe P to photograph the
abdomen, a pressure greater than that applied in photographing the
cardiac is required. In this case, the user inputs a selection of
an application corresponding to the target object currently to be
photographed through the second input 110, and the controller 400
may determine the fatigue on the basis of the application.
[0058] Meanwhile, the second input 110 may be implemented using
various devices by which a user may input data, instructions, or
commands, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a tablet
PC, or a touch screen module.
[0059] The storage 500 is configured to store a usage time for
which the user uses the probe P, a lookup data in which weights for
a probe P and an application of the probe P are stored, a sampling
period required for motion sensing, an angle of bend of a probe P,
and the like. Data stored in the storage 500 may be described in
detail with reference to FIG. 4.
[0060] The storage 500 may implemented in a type of at least one of
flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, card
type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), Random Access Memory (RAM),
Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM),
Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM),
Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic
disk, and optical disk. However, the storage is not limited
thereto, and may be implemented in any other form generally known
in the art.
[0061] The output 600 serves to warn a user when the wrist fatigue
determined by the controller 400 exceeds a reference value. In
detail, the output 600 may warn the user that the wrist fatigue is
accumulated through the display 610, the speaker 620, and the
warning lamp 630.
[0062] In more detail, the display 610 may output the extent of a
wrist fatigue on a screen visible to the user as a numerical value
or a warning indication icon.
[0063] In addition, the display 610 may display a menu and guide
required for ultrasonic diagnosis, and an ultrasonic image acquired
in the ultrasonic diagnostic process. That is, the display 610 may
display an ultrasonic image of a target site inside the target
object, which is generated by the controller 400. The ultrasonic
image displayed on the display 610 may be an A-mode ultrasonic
image, a B-mode ultrasonic image, or a 3D ultrasonic image.
[0064] Meanwhile, the display 610 may be implemented using various
forms of displays generally known in the art, such as a cathode ray
tube (CRT) and a liquid crystal display (LCD).
[0065] The speaker 620 may output a guide speech or warning sound
indicating an increase in the wrist fatigue. The position of the
speaker 620 shown in FIG. 1 is only one example of the present
disclosure, and the speaker may be implemented in various forms and
positions.
[0066] In addition, a warning lamp, such as a light emitting diode
(LED), may be installed on a part of the main body M, and the
warning lamp 630 may be turned on to warn the user.
[0067] The output device of the output 600 described above is
merely an example of the present disclosure, and thus may be
provided in various forms without limitation. That is, the output
600 may be not limited and be provided using various devices or
modules as long as it can warn the user about the danger of a serve
wrist fatigue.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 3, a user photographs a neck portion of
the target object using the probe P. The display 610 shown in FIG.
3 displays an ultrasonic image of a current target object.
[0069] Here, the user holds the probe P and changes the position of
the probe P using the wrist. In this case, the ultrasonic
diagnostic apparatus 1 collects data regarding use of the wrist
from the probe P. The controller 400 may determine the wrist
fatigue on the basis of the collected data and warn the user about
the wrist fatigue.
[0070] On the other hand, the probe P needs to acquire information
regarding use of the wrist of the user.
[0071] Referring again to FIG. 2, the probe P may include a first
input 100, a motion sensor 200, a transmission module 300, and a
vibrator 640.
[0072] The first input 100 serves to acquire data indicating that
the user is using the probe P as described above. That is, the user
may transmit to the controller 400 information that the probe P is
being used by the user through the first input 100 while using the
probe P.
[0073] The first input 100 may include a button, a touch sensor,
and the like, and may be implemented using any other devices as
long as it can receive a command indicating that the probe P starts
being used.
[0074] The motion sensor 200 is a component for determining the
angle of bend of the user's wrist while the probe P is being used.
The motion sensor 200 may be a gyro sensor.
[0075] A gyro sensor is a sensor that measures the change in
azimuth of an object, on the basis of the characteristic in which
an initially set direction is kept constant with a high accuracy
regardless of the rotation of the earth.
[0076] In the present disclosure, the gyro sensor may sense an
angular velocity indicating the degree to which an angle changes
with respect to the X, Y, and Z axes, that is, the angle of bend,
and may measure the angle of turn of the probe P with respect to a
reference direction, for example, the gravity direction.
[0077] That is, the motion sensor 200 including the gyro sensor may
measure the degree of bend of the probe P. This allows a user to
estimate the degree to which the wrist is used while using the
probe (P).
[0078] To summarize, the probe P collects information regarding use
of the probe P by the user, that is, a usage time, through the
first input 100, and collects information regarding the angle of
bend of the wrist while the user is using the probe P through the
motion sensor 200.
[0079] Meanwhile, the transmission module 300 converts the measured
information into an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical
signal to the main body M through the cable 5 as shown in FIG. 1 or
through a wireless signal. That is, the transmission module 300
serves to transmit the information collected by the probe P to the
controller 400.
[0080] In addition, the transmission module 300 may receive a
command from the controller 400. For example, the controller 400
may control the vibrator 640 through the transmission module 300 to
generate vibration in the probe P held by the user.
[0081] In detail, the vibrator 640 may include haptic technology.
Haptic technology refers to a technology that allows a user to feel
a sense of touch by generating vibration, force, or impact in the
device.
[0082] That is, when it is determined that a user needs to be
warned about a wrist fatigue, the controller 400 controls not only
the output 600 but also the vibrator 640 through the transmission
module 300 such that the user is warned of the wrist fatigue
through a sense of touch.
[0083] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
probe P and the main body M may be connected through wireless
communication. In this case, the transmission module 300 may
convert the measured usage time and image information into a
communication signal, and transmit the converted communication
signal to the controller 400.
[0084] In addition, the transmission module 300 according to
another embodiment of the present disclosure may exchange a radio
frequency (RF) signal with a wearable device, and thus the
controller 400 may determine that the probe P is being used when
the signal transmitted and received between the probe P and the
wearable device is higher than or equal to a threshold value.
[0085] The wearable device refers to a device, such as glasses, a
wristwatch, or a band-type device that may wirelessly interoperates
with a smartphone or a tablet. The wearable device may be
implemented in any other device as long as it can be worn on a
user's wrist and coupled to a motion sensor that is required for
measuring the bending of the wrist using the probe (P). An
embodiment related to the wearable device will be described later
with reference to FIG. 10.
[0086] The components and modules described with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 are merely examples of the present disclosure, and various
modifications to the measurement of the wrist fatigue using the
probe P may be possible.
[0087] FIG. 4 is a table showing types and applications of a probe
according to an example. FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing the
types of a probe according to an example. In order to avoid
redundancy, the following description will be made with reference
to both FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0088] As described above, the controller 400 determines the wrist
fatigue by assigning different weights according to the types and
applications of the probe.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 4, Phase array, Convex Probe A, and Convex
Probe B described in the first column of the table represent the
types of probes (P). The second column includes items describing
the applications of the probe P and weights thereof.
[0090] The types of the probe P will be described in conjunction
with FIG. 5.
[0091] In general, a probe P includes a transducer array TA. The
ultrasonic transducer array TA refers to an array in which a
plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements are arranged.
[0092] The ultrasonic transducer array TA is vibrated by a pulse
signal or an alternating current applied thereto to generate
ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic waves generated in the
ultrasonic transducer array TA are reflected by at least one target
side inside a target object and returned to the ultrasonic
transducer array TA again. The ultrasonic transducer array TA
receives ultrasonic waves reflected from the at least one target
site, that is, eco-ultrasonic waves.
[0093] As such, the transducer array (TA) is required for the
ultrasonic probe (P) to perform a basic function. Accordingly, the
probe P may take various forms according to the types on the basis
of the transducer array TA.
[0094] In detail, the probe P is divided on the basis of the shape
of the transducer array. A probe P having a linear arrangement of
transducers is referred to as an array transducer.
[0095] Generally, in the case of 1-D (1-Dimensional), the
transducer is provided in an array, and may be classified into
three types of transducers: a linear array transducer, a convex
array transducer, and a phased array transducer.
[0096] Convex probe is referred to a convex type probes P and takes
a form having benefits of a linear probe P and a sector probe P.
The convex probe P having a convex surface produces a fan-shaped
image and thus is mainly used for examining a wide area, such as
the abdomen.
[0097] Micro Convex Probe refers to a probe P that provides the
same performance as that of Convex Probe and has transducers
designed in a small size suitable for examining a narrow area.
[0098] In addition to the probes shown in FIG. 5, the present
disclosure may include various types of a probe, and different
weights may be assigned according to the types of a probe.
[0099] Referring again to FIG. 4, the table shows an example in
which different weights are assigned according to the types and the
loads of the probe P.
[0100] In detail, Phased Array (200g) represents a probe P
including a rectangular shape transducer and having a load of 200
g. Convex Probe A (400g) and Convex Probe B (450g) represent convex
probes (P) that are distinguished according to the loads, that is,
distinguished as a small probe P and a medium probe P.
[0101] In the table, it can be seen that Phased Array (200g) is
assigned different weights according to the applications, but is
assigned a weight smaller than those of Convex Probe A (400g) and
Convex Probe B (450g). Such a weighting is based on the assumption
that there is a probe type that puts small burden on the wrist of
the user, and the load of a probe is greatly influenced by the type
of a transducer. The type exerts an influence on the load applied
is given a small amount of burden according to the type of the
probe P, and the load is highly influenced by the type of the
transducer.
[0102] On the other hand, the numerical values shown in FIG. 4 are
merely an example of the present disclosure, and the weights
assigned according to the applications may be vary.
[0103] Different applications of the probe P may be provided for
different regions of a target object that are diagnosed by a user
through the probe P. Referring to the table, Phased Array (200g) is
assigned a weight of 1 in the case of an application of Abdomen,
and is assigned a weight of 0.9 in the case of an application of
Cardiac. This is because the degree of a force applied by the user
to the probe P differs depending on the region of the target
object.
[0104] Convex Probe A (400g) is assigned a weight of 1.5 in the
case of an application of abdomen, and is assigned a weight of 1.5
in the case of a fetus measurement (OB).
[0105] The controller 400 may predict the wrist fatigue of the user
by assigning different weights according to the probes P and the
applications thereof using the look-up table shown in FIG. 4. On
the other hand, such a look-up table may be stored in the storage
500
[0106] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of determining a
wrist fatigue of a user according to an example.
[0107] Referring to FIG. 6, the controller 400 according to an
example measures a time for which the user uses the probe P and
determines the wrist fatigue on the basis of the measured time.
[0108] In detail, the user inputs an input command to the first
input 100 of the probe P, and the user uses the probe P (1001).
[0109] As described above, the first input 100 of the probe P may
be provided in the form of a button or a touch sensor. In addition,
when the first input 100 is omitted in the probe P, an input
command indicating that the probe P is used may be transmitted
through the second input 110 of the main body M.
[0110] The controller 400 receives an electrical signal indicating
that the user uses the probe P from the transmission module 300,
and may measure the usage time from the point of time at which the
electric signal is received.
[0111] Then, the controller 400 checks the type and application of
the probe P (1002).
[0112] As described above, the types and applications of the probe
P may be provided in variety, and are used as a basis for assigning
different weights as shown in FIG. 4.
[0113] When the user changes the probe P or the application, the
controller 400 may store the time at which the user changes the
probe P or the application in the storage 500, and may measure a
usage time of the probe P in connection with the change.
[0114] The controller 400 continuously measures the usage time of
the probe P (1003). The measurement may be provided in various
forms according to a user's input, and the usage time may vary
according to a user's input. The controller 400 may measure the
usage time by adding up previous usage times using the storage 500
at predetermined time intervals.
[0115] The controller 400 determines the wrist fatigue (1004).
[0116] The wrist fatigue is determined on the basis of the usage
time of the probe P, and the weight according to the type and
application of the probe P.
[0117] For example, the controller 400 may determine the wrist
fatigue using Equation 1 below.
Total wrist fatigue = j = 0 m t j * f j [ Equation 1 ]
##EQU00001##
[0118] Here, j denotes an index number sequentially allocated in
the look-up table as shown in FIG. 4 depending on the type and
application of a probe P, and t.sub.j denotes the time for which
the probe P is used using a specific type and application for a
probe P that are selected, and f.sub.j denotes a weight according
to the type and application of a probe P.
[0119] The value calculated through Equation 1 may be classified
according to a preset criterion. That is, the controller 400 may
divide the calculated values according to grades that are stored in
advance, and may determine the wrist fatigue of the user on the
basis of the grades.
[0120] In other words, the controller 400 may calculate a numerical
value by assigning a weight to a usage time according to the type
and application of the probe P of the user, and determine the grade
stored in the storage 500 on the basis of the calculated value,
thereby predicting the wrist fatigue.
[0121] On the other hand, the fatigue grades to which the above
described numerical values apply may be variously implemented.
[0122] When the wrist fatigue is determined to occur, the
controller 400 warns the user about the wrist fatigue through the
output 600 (1005).
[0123] As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the warning of
the user about the wrist fatigue by the ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus 1 according to an example may be output in various forms.
When the controller 400 determines that the wrist fatigue does not
reach a certain level, the controller 400 may not control the
output 600.
[0124] FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an angle of bend of a
wrist using a motion sensor according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a table showing the weights according
to the angles of bend.
[0125] Referring to FIG. 7, a probe P according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure may include a motion sensor 200.
[0126] As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the motion
sensor 200 may be a gyro sensor, and measure the angle of bend with
respect to a reference direction. In FIG. 7, the three-dimensional
space in which the user uses the probe P may be defined by the X,
Y, and Z axes. Here, the direction opposite to the Y-axis direction
corresponding to the elevating direction is the gravity (g)
direction.
[0127] The controller 400 may set a reference direction as a
direction coinciding with the gravity direction. That is, the
position of the probe P arranged first on the left of FIG. 7 may be
set as a reference.
[0128] Then, when the probe P is moved according to use of the
wrist of the user, the controller 400 may determine the angle
.theta. of deviation with respect to the reference direction to be
the angle of bend of the wrist.
[0129] Although only the angles of bend of the wrist in the X-axis
direction are illustrated as in the probe arranged on the second
and third order in FIG. 7, the present disclosure is not limited to
the X-axis. For example, the angle of bend of the wrist in the
Z-axis direction may be measured by the motion sensor 200. In
addition, an ascending/descending of the wrist in the Y axis
direction, that is, an elevation direction, may be measured.
[0130] In the table of FIG. 8, the angle of bend of the wrist may
be measured by the motion sensor 200, and the weight represents a
weight used for determining the wrist fatigue on the basis of the
angle of bend of the wrist.
[0131] Referring to the table of FIG. 8, it can be seen that as the
angle of bend of the wrist increases, the weight that indicates a
wrist fatigue becomes larger. This is based on the assumption that
the wrist fatigue becomes greater as the angle of bend of the wrist
increases.
[0132] Meanwhile, the table shown in FIG. 8 may be stored in the
storage 500, and may be used for the controller 400 to determine
the wrist fatigue.
[0133] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of measuring the
angle of bend of the wrist and determining the wrist fatigue
according to another embodiment. The same descriptions as those
described with reference to FIG. 6 will be omitted.
[0134] Referring to FIG. 9, the user transmits information
regarding a start of the probe P to the controller 400 through the
first input 100 (2001).
[0135] Use of the probe P does not need to be continuously
performed. Even when the probe P is intermittently used, the
controller 400 may accumulate data regarding use of the probe P
through the storage 500 and determine the wrist fatigue.
[0136] Then, the controller 400 determines the type and application
of the probe P through the second input 110 and the like (2002).
For the type and application of the probe P, the lookup table
described in FIG. 4 may be used.
[0137] The controller 400 measures the usage time for which the
user uses the probe P (2003).
[0138] The controller 400, while measuring the usage time, measures
the angle of bend of the probe P according to the usage time. In
addition, the controller 400 determines a weight according to the
angle of bend of the probe P (2004).
[0139] A method of measuring the angle of bend of the probe P using
the controller 400 may be the same as the example described with
reference to FIG. 7. In addition, the controller 400 may determine
the weight that matches the measured angle of bend by referring to
the look-up table shown in FIG. 7 stored in the storage 500.
[0140] The controller 400 determines the wrist fatigue on the basis
of the determined weight and the usage time (2005).
[0141] The method of determining the wrist fatigue by the
controller 400 may be implemented using the above described
Equation 1 together with Equation 2 below. That is, f.sub.j
included in Equation 1 for acquiring the wrist fatigue may be
calculated by Equation 2.
f j = weight * i = 1 st dt * e i * K [ Equation 2 ]
##EQU00002##
[0142] In Equation 2, st denotes the total sampling interval
according to the type and application of the probe P corresponding
to index j, weight denotes a weight corresponding to index j, dt
denotes a sampling period for motion sensing, and e.sub.i denotes a
summation of angular displacements in the X, Y, and Z axes
directions during the sampling interval. K is a coefficient for
tuning an appropriate amount of displacement.
[0143] The angular displacement may be obtained by Equations 3 and
4 below.
e.sub.i=A.sub.xe.sub.x+A.sub.ye.sub.y+A.sub.ze.sub.z [Equation
3]
e.sub.x=|x.sub.n-x.sub.n-1|, e.sub.y=|y.sub.n-y.sub.n-1|,
e.sub.z=|z.sub.n-z.sub.n-1| [Equation 4]
[0144] Where, A.sub.x, A.sub.y and A.sub.z denote the weights of X,
Y, and Z axes. The weights may vary depending on the axis in which
a great bending of a wrist occurs. In addition, Xn, Yn, and Zn
denote the angles of bend in the X, Y, and Z axes directions
measured in the current sampling interval, and Xn-1, Yn-1, and Zn-1
denote the angles of bend in the X, Y, and Z axe directions
measured one sampling period ahead of the current sampling
period.
[0145] After determination of the wrist fatigue, the controller 400
may warn the user about the wrist fatigue through the output 600 as
described with reference to FIG. 6 (2006).
[0146] For example, the controller 400 may warn the user about the
wrist fatigue when the wrist fatigue is determined to be equal to
or greater than a reference value. The reference value may vary,
and variously implemented according to the numerical values
calculated by Equation 1.
[0147] FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing an example in which the
wrist fatigue is determined according to another embodiment.
[0148] Referring to FIG. 10, a user uses a smartwatch coupled with
a motion sensor and a probe P coupled with another motion sensor
200. That is, according to a fatigue measurement with the disclosed
embodiment, the wrist fatigue is more accurately determined on the
basis of the angle of bend measured using the motion sensor coupled
to the smartwatch and the motion sensor 200 coupled to the probe
P.
[0149] In detail, when the angle of bend of the wrist is measured
using only the motion sensor 200 of the probe P, it may be
difficult to measure the wrist fatigue accurately because the angle
of bend is small. However, when a reference angle of the motion
sensor of the smartwatch worn on the user's wrist is used, the
angle of bend may be more accurately measured through the distance
between the wrist and the probe P.
[0150] Accordingly, the controller 400 may set a specific angle of
the motion sensor coupled to the smartwatch as a reference, and may
measure an angular difference between the angle of the motion
sensor 200 coupled to the probe P and the reference.
[0151] In detail, the controller 400 may improve the accuracy in
measurement of fatigue by applying the measured angular difference
between the motion sensors to Equation 5.
[0152] In particular, the controller 400 determines e.sub.i of
Equation 3 through Equation 5, and substitutes e.sub.iof Equation 3
for Equation 2, finally assigned to Equation 1.
e.sub.x=|x.sub.2-x.sub.1|+x.sub.offset,
e.sub.y=|y.sub.2-y.sub.1|+y.sub.offset,
e.sub.z=|z.sub.2-z.sub.1|+z.sub.offset [Equation 5]
[0153] Where X2 denotes an angle in the X-axis direction obtained
from the smartwatch and X1 denotes an angle in the X-axis direction
obtained from the probe. x.sub.offset denotes a correction value of
the X-axis for setting an initial value when the user starts using
the probe. This applies also to the Y and Z axes.
[0154] That is, e.sub.i is a value obtained from angular
differences between the smartwatch and the probe in the X,Y, and Z
axes directions. In detail, is a value obtained by calculating an
angular difference between the motion sensor of the probe and the
motion sensor of the smartwatch in the X axis direction, an angular
difference between the motion sensor of the probe and the motion
sensor of the smartwatch in the Y axis direction, and an angular
difference between the motion sensor of the probe and the motion
sensor of the smartwatch in the Z axis direction, and summating the
angular differences.
[0155] Meanwhile, when the smartwatch is used, the controller 400
may acquire data indicating that the user is using the probe P on
the basis of the distance between the probe P and the smartwatch,
that is, the signal strength.
[0156] In detail, the transmission module 300 of the probe that
receives a RF signal generated in the smartwatch determines the
signal strength of the received RF signal. The transmission module
300 transmits the received RF signal to the controller 400.
[0157] The controller 400 may determine that the user is using the
probe P on the basis of the received data. That is, when the RF
signal is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the
controller 400 may determine that the user is using the probe P
without an input of the first input 100.
[0158] Although FIG. 10 illustrates a smartwatch as an example of a
wearable device, various modification may be possible, such as a
band worn on the user's wrist, as long as it can include a motion
sensor.
[0159] Although not shown in the drawings, the present disclosure
may include various modified embodiments. For example, the
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 may determine the wrist fatigue
of the user resulting from bending the wrist by using a usage time
of the wrist and a measurement value of the angle of bend of the
wrist that are transmitted by the wearable device.
[0160] In detail, the wearable device measures the angle of bend of
the wrist of the user. The angle of bend of the wrist may be
measured by a motion sensor installed in the wearable device. The
method of determining the angle of bend of the wrist may be
implemented using the method described with reference to FIG.
7.
[0161] The usage time of the probe P may be measured using an app
(APP) installed in the wearable device. For example, when a user
executes an app (APP) of a wearable device with a button or a
touch, the wearable device may determine the usage time of the APP
as the usage time of the probe P. Such an app may be stored in the
controller 400 and the storage 500 of the ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus 1 so as to be installed in the wearable device by a
user's manipulation.
[0162] The controller 400 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1
determines the weight on the basis of the usage time of the wrist
of the user and the angle of bend of the wrist that are provided by
the wearable device. For the weight, the lookup table stored in the
storage 500 may be used. That is, the controller 400 may assign
different weights according to the input of the user.
[0163] The controller 400 may control the output 600 of the
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the determined
result of the wrist fatigue and warn the user about the wrist
fatigue. In addition, according to the embodiment, the controller
400 may transmit a warning and a display command to the wearable
device through the installed app, and control the wearable device
so as to warn the user or display an warning.
[0164] According to another embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus 1, an app (APP) may be installed in a wearable device and
the wrist fatigue of a user may be determined using a motion sensor
of the wearable device.
* * * * *